The Cosmetic Surgery Blog

When you've made the decision to have cosmetic surgery, your number one step is to find a doctor. Just like for anything else, research is important. Don't just open the telephone book and point, do your homework. You should:

1. Call several doctors in your area that are located close to your home or office. As if they have a website, what the costs are for your chosen procedure, do they have free consultations, whether the procedure will be located in the doctor's office or a hospital, and how long is the recovery time. If the receptionist is not very helpful, go to the next doctor on your list. Remember that you will have several follow-up visits for weeks after surgery so the doctor's office should be easily accessible.

I chose my home because I didn't want anyone to know I had surgery. Of course, after my book, Dear Diary: What My Doctor Never Told Me About Liposuction, came out everyone knew.

2. If they have a website, check their procedures and credentials. Are they certified? How long have they been in business? Which medical associations do they belong? Do they have partners? Are they affiliated with a hospital?

One of the doctors on my list did his operations in his office. When I asked about complications (and they are a possibility), he told me he would have his nurse call 911.

3. Once you've narrowed the list to a reasonable number, maybe 4 or 5 doctors, visit each office. Make a consultation appointment and have your questions ready. Check to see if the doctor is helpful or in a hurry. Are you comfortable with the doctor? Were the facilities clean? Did he show you before/after photos of past surgeries? Was the cost within your budget?

I had one doctor that kept looking at his watch the whole time. I did not choose him. The doctor I did choose leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs, and had me laughing the whole time. When I asked about before/after pictures, he went and returned with three notebooks filled to capacity. By the end of the meeting he was like an old family friend.

This first step is most important because the doctor will be an important part of your life for the next year, so take your time. You must be comfortable with the doctor because any questions you have (and they will come up) must be asked. If you are shy about discussing your body with your chosen doctor, then he/she is not the one for you. Keep looking. The one for you is out there.

According to recent reports, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) has issued a statement which warns against cosmetic treatment from non-physicians. Past president of ASDS, Dr. Rhoda Narins, has said, "Never have any injections done unless it's in a reputable physician's office, because it's unsafe.... You wouldn't entrust the care of your heart or kidneys to a non-physician, so why should your skin be any different?"

The most recent report comes from a Salinas, California hairstylist who could face charges of manslaughter for using "bogus Botox", a counterfeit substance into her clients. The hairstylist was not medically trained or licensed with Botox, and the ingredients of her counterfeit substance are still unknown.

Many of the problems coming from these kinds of reports lies in the fact that many people will often choose an easier, cheaper alternative to professional procedures involved in cosmetic surgery because they do not regard them as "serious" procedures. Narins stated that, "People are drawn to non-physician offices because of price." Yet the reality of the bogus Botox is that it's just not as medically advanced as the real Botox and could lead to serious medical problems, including severe facial paralysis and deformity. Norins believes that "if something looks too cheap, it is too cheap.... Getting anything injected into the body is dangerous. It's nice to look great, it's important to look great, but you need to do it without the risk."

If you're considering Botox, it is important to find a certified cosmetic surgeon specializing in Botox cosmetic surgery, such as Dr. Serota of the Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Center in Denver, Colorado.